Prabowo launches B50 as milestone for energy self-sufficiency

President Prabowo Subianto launched the 50 percent Biodiesel Mandatory Programme (B50) in Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday, as a step to strengthen energy self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imported fuel oil. “By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, on this afternoon of Thursday, 9 July 2026, with the grace of God Almighty, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby officially launch B50 biodiesel,” the President stated. The President said Indonesia is the first country to implement the B50 mandate. According to him, the policy is not merely a technological achievement, but proof of Indonesia’s ability to harness its natural wealth for the people’s benefit. “This is proof that Indonesia is capable of utilising its own natural wealth to prioritise its own people. This is an important milestone for the nation’s self-sufficiency,” the President emphasised. He noted that the previous B40 implementation was insufficient, prompting the government to increase the biodiesel blend to B50. “B40 was not enough; at that time I even pushed for B100. But my ministers convinced me that with just B50, we would not need to import diesel from abroad,” the President said. The Head of State said energy is a vital sector for the nation’s survival. Indonesia, he said, is blessed with abundant natural resources, from coal reserves to natural gas. Additionally, Indonesia has natural gas reserves that can be utilised as compressed natural gas (CNG). With these reserves, he said, Indonesia no longer needs to import LPG. The President also urged scientists and experts to continue innovating to increase the biodiesel content above 50 percent. “This B50 is a great result for the people,” he said. The B50 Mandatory Programme requires a 50 percent biodiesel blend in diesel fuel. The policy is part of the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on fuel imports, increase the added value of national natural resources, and strengthen energy resilience and sovereignty. The implementation of B50 is estimated to increase foreign exchange savings from Rp133.3 trillion under the B40 programme to around Rp170 trillion in 2026. The programme is also projected to increase the added value of crude palm oil from Rp20.92 trillion to around Rp23.49 trillion, absorb approximately 2.1 million workers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to around 44.46 million tonnes of CO2 in 2026. Present at the launch were several ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Chief Executive Officer of BPI Danantara Rosan Roeslani, and President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) Simon Aloysius Mantiri.